Connectors for forming electrical and mechanical connections between interchangeable units in an aerosol delivery system

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to aerosol delivery devices. In various implementations, the aerosol delivery devices comprise a control device that includes a battery, a control component, and an outer housing that defines receiving chamber, and a cartridge that includes a mouthpiece portion, a tank that contains a liquid composition, and a heater configured to heat the liquid composition. The cartridge and the control device each include at least one connector configured to provide a magnetic and an electrical connection between the cartridge and the control device such that the cartridge can be removably and operatively received into the cartridge receiving chamber of the control body, wherein the at least one connector of the cartridge is located on the mouthpiece portion.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. An aerosol delivery device comprising:
 a control device that includes an outer housing defining an outer wall and having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end of the control device defining a cartridge receiving chamber, the control device further including a battery and a control component; and 
 a cartridge that includes a mouthpiece portion and a tank, the mouthpiece portion having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end of the mouthpiece portion having an exit portal defined therethrough, the tank further defining a proximal end and a closed distal end and being configured to contain a liquid composition, the cartridge further including a heater configured to heat the liquid composition, 
 wherein the cartridge and the control device each include at least one connector configured to provide a magnetic and an electrical connection between the cartridge and the control device such that the cartridge can be removably and operatively received into the cartridge receiving chamber of the control device, wherein the distal end of the mouthpiece portion is located proximate the proximal end of the tank, and wherein the at least one connector of the cartridge is located on the mouthpiece portion. 
 
     
     
       2. The aerosol delivery device of  claim 1 , wherein the control device further comprises:
 an inner frame that defines the cartridge receiving chamber, wherein the inner frame includes an upper flange; 
 a plurality of magnets spaced around the upper flange of the inner frame; and 
 a pair of spring-loaded conductive pins located on the inner frame and below the upper flange thereof, the conductive pins being operatively connected to the battery, 
 wherein the cartridge further comprises: 
 a flange located between the proximal and distal ends of the mouthpiece portion; 
 a metal plate located below the flange; and 
 a pair of conductive plugs, the conductive plugs being operatively connected to the heater, 
 wherein when the cartridge is received into the cartridge receiving chamber, the magnetic connection is created between the magnets of the inner frame of the control device and the metal plate of the cartridge, and the electrical connection is created between the conductive pins of the inner frame of the control device and the conductive plugs of the cartridge. 
 
     
     
       3. The aerosol delivery device of  claim 2 , wherein the magnets of the inner frame of the control device are exposed in a top surface of the upper flange such that when the cartridge is received into the cartridge receiving chamber, the magnets of the inner frame of the control device make direct contact with the metal plate of the cartridge. 
     
     
       4. The aerosol delivery device of  claim 1 , wherein the control device further comprises:
 an inner frame that defines the cartridge receiving chamber, wherein the inner frame includes an upper portion; 
 at least one attachment element located in the upper surface of the inner frame; and 
 a pair of spring-loaded conductive pins located on the inner frame, the conductive pins being operatively connected to the battery, 
 wherein the cartridge further comprises: 
 a flange located between the proximal and distal ends of the mouthpiece portion; 
 at least one attachment element located in the flange of the cartridge; and 
 a pair of conductive plugs, the conductive plugs being operatively connected to the heater, 
 wherein when the cartridge is received into the cartridge receiving chamber, the magnetic connection is created between the at least one attachment element of the control device and the at least one attachment element of the cartridge, and the electrical connection is created between the conductive pins of the inner frame of the control device and the conductive plugs of the cartridge. 
 
     
     
       5. The aerosol delivery device of  claim 4 , wherein the upper portion of the inner frame of the control device includes an angled surface, wherein the at least one attachment element of the control device comprises a plurality of magnets spaced around the angled surface of the inner frame, wherein the flange of the cartridge includes a corresponding angled surface, and wherein the at least one attachment element of the cartridge comprises a plurality of magnets spaced around the angled surface of the flange. 
     
     
       6. The aerosol delivery device of  claim 4 , wherein the upper portion of the inner frame of the control device includes an angled surface, wherein the at least one attachment element of the control device comprises a plurality of magnets spaced around the angled surface of the inner frame, wherein the flange of the cartridge includes a corresponding angled surface, and wherein the at least one attachment element of the cartridge comprises a plurality of metal plates spaced around the angled surface of the flange. 
     
     
       7. The aerosol delivery device of  claim 4 , wherein the upper portion of the inner frame of the control device includes an angled surface, wherein the at least one attachment element of the control device comprises a plurality of magnets spaced around the angled surface of the inner frame, wherein the flange of the cartridge includes an angled surface, and wherein the at least one attachment element comprises a metal ring that comprises the angled surface of the flange. 
     
     
       8. The aerosol delivery device of  claim 4 , wherein the at least one attachment element of the control device comprises a magnetic ring that includes an angled surface that comprises the upper portion of the inner frame, wherein the flange of the cartridge includes an angled surface, and wherein the at least one attachment element of cartridge comprises a metal ring that comprises the angled surface of the flange. 
     
     
       9. The aerosol delivery device of  claim 1 , wherein the control device further comprises:
 an inner frame that defines the cartridge receiving chamber, wherein the inner frame includes an upper portion; 
 a pair of separate magnets that comprise a portion of the upper portion of the inner frame; 
 wherein the cartridge further comprises: 
 a flange located between the proximal and distal ends of the mouthpiece portion; 
 a pair of metal plates, the metal plates comprising a portion of the flange of the cartridge, and the metal plates being operatively connected to the heater, 
 wherein when the cartridge is received into the cartridge receiving chamber, both the magnetic connection and the electrical connection are created between the pair of separate magnets of the inner frame of the control device and the pair of separate metal plates of the cartridge. 
 
     
     
       10. The aerosol delivery device of  claim 9 , wherein the pair of separate magnets of the inner frame of the control device include an angled surface, and wherein the pair of metal plates of the flange of the cartridge include a corresponding angled surface. 
     
     
       11. The aerosol delivery device of  claim 1 , wherein the control device further comprises:
 an inner frame that defines the cartridge receiving chamber; 
 a plurality of magnet spheres located in the inner frame; and 
 a pair of spring-loaded conductive pins located on the inner frame, the conductive pins being operatively connected to the battery, 
 wherein the cartridge further comprises: 
 a pair of metal plates, each metal plate including receiving detents on opposite ends thereof, the metal plates being operatively connected to the heater, 
 wherein when the cartridge is received into the cartridge receiving chamber, the magnetic connection is created between the magnet spheres of the inner frame of the control device and the receiving detents of the metal plates of the cartridge, and the electrical connection is created between the conductive pins of the inner frame of the control device and the metal plates of the cartridge. 
 
     
     
       12. The aerosol delivery device of  claim 1 , wherein the control device further comprises:
 an inner frame that defines the cartridge receiving chamber; 
 a pair of angled magnets located in the inner frame; and 
 a pair of spring-loaded conductive pins located in the inner frame and below the pair of angled magnets, the conductive pins being operatively connected to the battery, 
 wherein the cartridge further comprises: 
 a flange located between the proximal and distal ends of the mouthpiece portion; 
 a pair of pointed sliding metal plates located in the flange; and 
 a pair of conductive plugs, the conductive plugs being operatively connected to the heater, 
 wherein when the cartridge is received into the cartridge receiving chamber, the magnetic connection is created between the angled magnets of the inner frame of the control device and the pointed sliding metal plates of the cartridge, and the electrical connection is created between the conductive pins of the inner frame of the control device and the conductive plugs of the cartridge. 
 
     
     
       13. The aerosol delivery device of  claim 1 , wherein the control device further comprises:
 an inner frame that defines the cartridge receiving chamber, wherein the inner frame includes an upper flange; 
 a plurality of cylindrical magnets that extend into the upper flange of the inner frame; and 
 a pair of spring-loaded conductive pins located on the inner frame and below the upper flange thereof, the conductive pins being operatively connected to the battery, 
 wherein the cartridge further comprises: 
 a flange located between the proximal and distal ends of the mouthpiece portion; 
 a metal plate located below the flange; and 
 a pair of conductive plugs, the conductive plugs being operatively connected to the heater, 
 wherein when the cartridge is received into the cartridge receiving chamber, the magnetic connection is created between the magnets of the inner frame of the control device and the metal plate of the cartridge, and the electrical connection is created between the conductive pins of the inner frame of the control device and the conductive plugs of the cartridge. 
 
     
     
       14. The aerosol device of  claim 13 , wherein the plurality of cylindrical magnets extend through the upper flange of the inner frame such that a top surface of the magnets is substantially flush with a top surface of the upper flange. 
     
     
       15. The aerosol delivery device of  claim 1 , wherein the control device further comprises:
 an inner frame that defines the cartridge receiving chamber, wherein the inner frame includes an upper flange; 
 a plurality of cylindrical magnets that extend into the upper flange of the inner frame; and 
 a pair of spring-loaded conductive pins that extend into the upper flange of the inner frame, the conductive pins being operatively connected to the battery, 
 wherein the cartridge further comprises: 
 a flange located between the proximal and distal ends of the mouthpiece portion; and 
 a pair of metal plates comprising a portion of a bottom surface of the flange, the metal plates being operatively connected to the heater, 
 wherein when the cartridge is received into the cartridge receiving chamber, the magnetic connection is created between the magnets of the inner frame of the control device and the metal plates of the cartridge, and the electrical connection is created between the conductive pins of the inner frame of the control device and the metal plates of the cartridge. 
 
     
     
       16. The aerosol device of  claim 15 , wherein the plurality of cylindrical magnets extend through the upper flange of the inner frame such that a top surface of the magnets is substantially flush with a top surface of the upper flange. 
     
     
       17. The aerosol delivery device of  claim 1 , wherein the control device further comprises:
 an inner frame that defines the cartridge receiving chamber, wherein the inner frame includes an upper flange; and 
 a pair of cylindrical magnets that extend into the upper flange of the inner frame, the magnets being operatively connected to the battery, 
 wherein the cartridge further comprises: 
 a flange located between the proximal and distal ends of the mouthpiece portion; and 
 a pair of metal plates comprising a portion of a bottom surface of the flange, the metal plates being operatively connected to the heater, 
 wherein when the cartridge is received into the cartridge receiving chamber, both the magnetic connection and the electrical connection are created between the magnets of the inner frame of the control device and the metal plates of the cartridge. 
 
     
     
       18. The aerosol device of  claim 17 , wherein the pair of cylindrical magnets extend through the upper flange of the inner frame such that a top surface of the magnets is substantially flush with a top surface of the upper flange. 
     
     
       19. The aerosol delivery device of  claim 1 , wherein the control device further comprises:
 an inner frame that defines the cartridge receiving chamber, wherein the inner frame includes an upper flange; 
 a pair of cylindrical magnets that extend through the upper flange of the inner frame; and 
 a pair of conductive casings, each conductive casing substantially surrounding a side surface of a respective magnet and extending through the upper flange of the inner frame such that a top edge of the casings is substantially flush with a top surface of the upper flange, the conductive casings being operatively connected to the battery, 
 wherein the cartridge further comprises: 
 a flange located between the proximal and distal ends of the mouthpiece portion; and 
 a pair of metal plates comprising a portion of a bottom surface of the flange, the metal plates being operatively connected to the heater, 
 wherein when the cartridge is received into the cartridge receiving chamber, the magnetic connection is created between the magnets of the inner frame of the control device and the metal plates of the cartridge, and the electrical connection is created between the conductive casings of the inner frame of the control device and the metal plates of the cartridge. 
 
     
     
       20. The aerosol delivery device of  claim 1 , wherein the control device further comprises:
 an inner frame that defines the cartridge receiving chamber, wherein the inner frame includes an upper flange; 
 a pair of cylindrical magnets that extend into the upper flange of the inner frame; and 
 a pair of conductive casings, each conductive casing substantially surrounding a top and side surface of a respective magnet and extending through the upper flange of the inner frame such that a top surface of the casings is substantially flush with a top surface of the upper flange, the conductive casings being operatively connected to the battery, 
 wherein the cartridge further comprises: 
 a flange located between the proximal and distal ends of the mouthpiece portion; and 
 a pair of metal plates comprising a portion of a bottom surface of the flange, the metal plates being operatively connected to the heater, 
 wherein when the cartridge is received into the cartridge receiving chamber, the magnetic connection is created between the magnets of the inner frame of the control device and the metal plates of the cartridge, and the electrical connection is created between the conductive casings of the inner frame of the control device and the metal plates of the cartridge. 
 
     
     
       21. The aerosol delivery device of  claim 1 , wherein the control device further comprises:
 an inner frame that defines the cartridge receiving chamber, wherein the inner frame includes an upper flange; 
 a plurality of magnets located in the upper flange of the inner frame; and 
 a pair of metal plates located in the upper flange of the inner frame, a top surface of the metal plates being substantially flush with a top surface of the upper flange, the metal plates being operatively connected to the battery, 
 wherein the cartridge further comprises: 
 a flange located between the proximal and distal ends of the mouthpiece portion; and 
 first and second pairs of metal plates located below the flange, the first pair of metal plates being operatively connected to the heater, 
 wherein when the cartridge is received into the cartridge receiving chamber, the magnetic connection is created between the magnets of the inner frame of the control device and the second pair of metal plates of the cartridge, and the electrical connection is created between the pair of metal plates of the inner frame of the control device and the first pair of metal plates of the cartridge. 
 
     
     
       22. The aerosol delivery device of  claim 1 , wherein the control device further comprises:
 an inner frame that defines the cartridge receiving chamber, wherein the inner frame includes an upper flange; 
 a plurality of magnets located in the upper flange of the inner frame; and 
 a pair of metal plates located in the upper flange of the inner frame, a top surface of the metal plates being substantially flush with a top surface of the upper flange, the metal plates being operatively connected to the battery, 
 wherein the cartridge further comprises: 
 a flange located between the proximal and distal ends of the mouthpiece portion; and 
 a pair of metal plates located below the flange, the metal plates being operatively connected to the heater, 
 wherein when the cartridge is received into the cartridge receiving chamber, the magnetic connection is created between the magnets of the inner frame of the control device and the pair of metal plates of the cartridge, and the electrical connection is created between the pair of metal plates of the inner frame of the control device and the pair of metal plates of the cartridge. 
 
     
     
       23. The aerosol delivery device of  claim 1 , wherein the control device further comprises:
 an inner frame that defines the cartridge receiving chamber, wherein the inner frame includes an upper flange; and 
 a pair of magnets located in the upper flange of the inner frame and a pair of metal plates located in the upper flange of the inner frame, the metal plates being operatively connected to the battery, 
 wherein the cartridge further comprises: 
 a flange located between the proximal and distal ends of the mouthpiece portion; and 
 a pair of metal plates, the metal plates comprising a portion of the flange of the cartridge, the metal plates being operatively connected to the heater, 
 wherein when the cartridge is received into the cartridge receiving chamber, the magnetic connection is created between the magnets of the inner frame of the control device and the pair of metal plates of the cartridge, and the electrical connection is created between the pair of metal plates of the inner frame of the control device and the pair of metal plates of the cartridge. 
 
     
     
       24. The aerosol delivery device of  claim 1 , wherein the control device further comprises:
 an inner frame that defines the cartridge receiving chamber, wherein the inner frame includes an upper flange; and 
 a pair of magnets located in the upper flange of the inner frame and a pair of metal plates located in the upper flange of the inner frame, the metal plates being operatively connected to the battery, 
 wherein the cartridge further comprises: 
 a flange located between the proximal and distal ends of the mouthpiece portion; 
 a metal ring that comprises a portion of the flange; and 
 a pair of conductive spring contacts, the spring contacts being operatively connected to the heater, 
 wherein when the cartridge is received into the cartridge receiving chamber, the magnetic connection is created between the magnets of the inner frame of the control device and the metal ring of the cartridge, and the electrical connection is created between the pair of metal plates of the inner frame of the control device and the pair of conductive spring contacts of the cartridge. 
 
     
     
       25. The aerosol delivery device of  claim 1 , wherein the control device further comprises:
 an inner frame that defines the cartridge receiving chamber, wherein the inner frame includes an upper flange; 
 a plurality of cylindrical magnets that extend into the upper flange of the inner frame; and 
 a pair of conductive pins that extend into the upper flange of the inner frame, the conductive pins being operatively connected to the battery, 
 wherein the cartridge further comprises: 
 a flange located between the proximal and distal ends of the mouthpiece portion; and 
 a pair of metal plates comprising a portion of a bottom surface of the flange, the metal plates being operatively connected to the heater, and each metal plate including an integrated spring contact, 
 wherein when the cartridge is received into the cartridge receiving chamber, the magnetic connection is created between the magnets of the inner frame of the control device and the metal plates of the cartridge, and the electrical connection is created between the conductive pins of the inner frame of the control device and the integrated spring contacts of the metal plates of the cartridge. 
 
     
     
       26. The aerosol delivery device of  claim 1 , wherein the control device further comprises:
 an inner frame that defines the cartridge receiving chamber, wherein the inner frame includes an upper flange; 
 a plurality of magnets spaced around the upper flange of the inner frame; and 
 a pair of conductive spring contacts located on the inner frame and below the upper flange thereof, the spring contacts being operatively connected to the battery, 
 wherein the cartridge further comprises: 
 a flange located between the proximal and distal ends of the mouthpiece portion; 
 a metal plate located below the flange; and 
 a pair of conductive plugs, the conductive plugs being operatively connected to the heater, 
 wherein when the cartridge is received into the cartridge receiving chamber, the magnetic connection is created between the magnets of the inner frame of the control device and the metal plate of the cartridge, and the electrical connection is created between the conductive spring contacts of the inner frame of the control device and the conductive plugs of the cartridge. 
 
     
     
       27. The aerosol delivery device of  claim 1 , wherein the control device further comprises:
 an inner frame that defines the cartridge receiving chamber, wherein the inner frame includes an upper portion; 
 at least one attachment element located in the upper surface of the inner frame; and 
 a pair of conductive spring contacts located on the inner frame, the conductive spring contacts being operatively connected to the battery, 
 wherein the cartridge further comprises: 
 a flange located between the proximal and distal ends of the mouthpiece portion; 
 at least one attachment element located in the flange of the cartridge; and 
 a pair of conductive plugs, the conductive plugs being operatively connected to the heater, 
 wherein when the cartridge is received into the cartridge receiving chamber, the magnetic connection is created between the at least one attachment element of the control device and the at least one attachment element of the cartridge, and the electrical connection is created between the conductive spring contacts of the inner frame of the control device and the conductive plugs of the cartridge. 
 
     
     
       28. The aerosol delivery device of  claim 1 , wherein the control device further comprises:
 an inner frame that defines the cartridge receiving chamber; 
 a plurality of magnet spheres located in the inner frame; and 
 a pair of conductive spring contacts located on the inner frame, the conductive spring contacts being operatively connected to the battery, 
 wherein the cartridge further comprises: 
 a pair of metal plates, each metal plate including receiving detents on opposite ends thereof, the metal plates being operatively connected to the heater, 
 wherein when the cartridge is received into the cartridge receiving chamber, the magnetic connection is created between the magnet spheres of the inner frame of the control device and the receiving detents of the metal plates of the cartridge, and the electrical connection is created between the conductive spring contacts of the inner frame of the control device and the metal plates of the cartridge. 
 
     
     
       29. The aerosol delivery device of  claim 1 , wherein the control device further comprises:
 an inner frame that defines the cartridge receiving chamber; 
 a pair of angled magnets located in the inner frame; and 
 a pair of conductive spring contacts located in the inner frame and below the pair of angled magnets, the conductive pins being operatively connected to the battery, 
 wherein the cartridge further comprises: 
 a flange located between the proximal and distal ends of the mouthpiece portion; 
 a pair of pointed sliding metal plates located in the flange; and 
 a pair of conductive plugs, the conductive plugs being operatively connected to the heater, 
 wherein when the cartridge is received into the cartridge receiving chamber, the magnetic connection is created between the angled magnets of the inner frame of the control device and the pointed sliding metal plates of the cartridge, and the electrical connection is created between the conductive spring contacts of the inner frame of the control device and the conductive plugs of the cartridge. 
 
     
     
       30. The aerosol delivery device of  claim 1 , wherein the control device further comprises:
 an inner frame that defines the cartridge receiving chamber, wherein the inner frame includes an upper flange; 
 a plurality of cylindrical magnets that extend into the upper flange of the inner frame; and 
 a pair of conductive spring contacts located on the inner frame and below the upper flange thereof, the conductive pins being operatively connected to the battery, 
 wherein the cartridge further comprises: 
 a flange located between the proximal and distal ends of the mouthpiece portion; 
 a metal plate located below the flange; and 
 a pair of conductive plugs, the conductive plugs being operatively connected to the heater, 
 wherein when the cartridge is received into the cartridge receiving chamber, the magnetic connection is created between the magnets of the inner frame of the control device and the metal plate of the cartridge, and the electrical connection is created between the conductive spring contacts of the inner frame of the control device and the conductive plugs of the cartridge. 
 
     
     
       31. The aerosol delivery device of  claim 1 , wherein the control device further comprises:
 an inner frame that defines the cartridge receiving chamber, wherein the inner frame includes an upper flange; 
 a plurality of cylindrical magnets that extend into the upper flange of the inner frame; and 
 a pair of conductive spring contacts that extend into the upper flange of the inner frame, the conductive pins being operatively connected to the battery, 
 wherein the cartridge further comprises: 
 a flange located between the proximal and distal ends of the mouthpiece portion; and 
 a pair of metal plates comprising a portion of a bottom surface of the flange, the metal plates being operatively connected to the heater, 
 wherein when the cartridge is received into the cartridge receiving chamber, the magnetic connection is created between the magnets of the inner frame of the control device and the metal plates of the cartridge, and the electrical connection is created between the conductive spring contacts of the inner frame of the control device and the metal plates of the cartridge.